An Old Story

 A Nostalgiac Outburst 

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It is a true episode of the year 1948-49 when a suitable place was being searched for establishment of the Capital of Odisha. During that period Late H. K. Mahatab was the CM and Late Bijayanand Pattanaik was also accompanying him at the time of need for stretching out a helping hand. They travelled many places for selection. Firstly they reached at Choudwar ( Birata Khetra ). They went double riding on a bicycle to Choudwar. They looked at many spots there as the open ragadi of Choudwar was vast. There were no trees and plants. Only red colored soil was found. Place was perfect to be capital. They were daily plying and coming back Cuttack. 

During the course of their visit to difference places of Choudwar, once they came across a village named Agrahat whereof my late Grandpa A. C. Panda was the then Chieftain.

Both the renowned and popular leaders were invited to our house for taking a short rest. They were given a bucket 

ful of water to refresh themselves beside the

well. Then grandpa gave a napkin for wiping off and guided them into our dining room courteously meat mixed with lungs. At that time we had many milky cows. Our house maid milked a cow as per the instruction of grandpa. My granny cooked the meat and boiled the milk. It was mor Granny prepared the snack made up of Moori,grated coconut, milk, jaggery,while trio were busy on gossiping about the various issues of the village. Grandpa requested them to take the snack while they ended the discussion.

Granny served the delicious rustic snack which was enjoyed by two luminaries gleefully. After they had finished their intakes granny served a cup of special milk tea each. Grandfather was suggested by them to take a cup of tea. Though grandpa was non-taker of tea, he took the same out of courtesy. Granny offered them self prepared Khilipan as per Odia tradition.

It was 12 noon of December. Our grandpa took them around all over the village. They saw and offered prayer in front of patali Linga of Lord Uttareshwar, the senior most Astashambhu of Choudwar. They also had a look at our LP UP school and M. E. Schools. On the way back home they took a rest on the floor of gazebo. 

It was half past two afternoon. The trio arrived at home. After washing their legs hands and faces entered into the dining hall. They sat on the mats spread beforehand by our granny. In front of that 

she had kept three bronze tumblers full of water. As per traditional posture they were sitting. Granny served hot boiled rice in the brozen plates and curry in another three pots. She also served dal, lemon, salt, green chilli, onion and cucumber tomato salad in separate pots. The trio started taking their lunch supervised by Granny. Granny asked in the meantime of feast, " What more required please tell " " No more required. It is sufficient for us. " 

Biju and Mahatab Sirs were very happy for the

cordial hospitality of grandparents. It was half past four. They, after insetting homemade gundi khilipan, offered by granny, into their mouths they wanted to depart. Grandparents bid both the luminaries farewell. Grandparents accompanied them up to the main road. They were walking on foot. Then the worthwhile guests rode on Robinhood bicycle and pedalled on to Cuttack double riding with smiling faces and humorous gossips. My grandparents returned home with a heartful of self-contentment. However Choudwar could not be selected for instalment State Capital. But by the by keeping in mind the smooth communication facilities Ekamra Khetra( BBSR )was selected for the same.

Somedays passed away. Although Choudwar is a historical and scriptural place of vast open field during that period, it was not selected for the Capital of Odisha owing to certain reasons one of which may be the noble ambition of our late Biju Sir to make it an Industrial centre of Odisha by providing bread and butter to thousands of illiterate and unemployed local mass. OTM, TPM, Electrilux, Kalinga Tubes etc. are still dazzling in the psycho sphere of the oldest people of Tangi-Choudwar Block 

and as a educator of illiterate mass OTM High School stands with lofty ornamental crown on the soil of Birata Cuttack. But it is a matter of great agony of all the native senior citizens of this area that some people of vested interest are trying now to blot out the history and academic monument of Choudwar by disfiguring and dislodging our ever beloved OTMHS. It is a milestone of every student of the past, present and future. Every body should bear in mind. All the local MLAs. MPs and political guys should be cautious never to do that. Because the Prime God of Kaliyug is Lord Shambhu. He can positively destroy all the egos, status and wealth with a snap sound resonating out of pillet drum at a moment if His temperament is hampered in the long run.

However let bye gone be by gone. Situation is now topsy turvy. No Ram No Ayodhya. So we the senior exhausted citizens are just like a golden oldie as per the maxim " Old is Gold". I have not seen the episode ; but I had heard from my late Grandfather when I was a student of Class VII of Agrahat M. E. School. Rumours have no legs nevertheless I dare to click down ers down it with a request never to take me amiss as a politically biased although our native area belongs to late Biju Babu's area, please. Sometimes due to mobile trouble the clicks may become deranged somewhere in the topic wherefore readers discretion is solicited sincerely.

( A. Panda, Sr. Citizen, Cuttack,Ex-student OTMHS and permanent resident of Agrahat )

  🙏🏼 - Hail Lord 🙏🏼Jagannath - Hail Lord Asthashambhu - Please Lead Kindly Light amid the encircling gloom lead Thou us on 🙏🏼